Iranian Police seize over 8 tons of narcotics in Southeastern province in one month

The drug combat squads of Iran's Law Enforcement Troops have seized more than 8 tons of illicit drugs in month-long operations in the Southeastern province of Sistan and Balouchestan, a provincial police chief announced on Sunday.

“We have discovered and seized 8,500 kilograms of narcotics in several operations carried out in the province throughout the last month,” Sistan and Balouchestan Police Commander Brigadier General Hamid Fahimirad said.

The General underlined that the seized drugs included 7,617 kilograms of opium, 150 kilograms of hashish and 320 kilograms of morphine.

“The Law Enforcement Forces have disbanded two big drug gangs, arrested 111 traffickers and dealers and confiscated 29 vehicles in the said period,” Fahimirad said.

Iran spends billions of dollars and has lost thousands of its police troops in the war against traffickers. Owing to its rigid efforts, Iran makes 81 percent of the world's total opium seizures and has turned into the leading country in drug campaign.

Iran lies on a major drug route between Afghanistan and Europe, as well as the Persian Gulf states.

Iran has recently established a central database and strengthened police-judiciary cooperation in a new effort to combat organized crime.